I Was for Transportation Funding Before I Was Against It….

After feeling a little heat, kind of like that nasty July heat burning through the Commonwealth,
from the media coverage surrounding the July 1 effective date for abuser fees
on excessively bad drivers – Virginia Democrat Caucus Chair Brian Moran – who
voted for the bi-partisan supported omnibus transportation bill – is now trying
to run from it.  He blames the passage of this legislation on the minority
status of the democrats in the house in his July
9th Moran Memo (apparently NOT available online – only via
email, so you’ll just have to trust us on this one

"I
was proud to vote against this measure as it came through the
Assembly in 2006 and 2007. Unfortunately, in the minority party, we didn't have
the votes to strip it out of the omnibus transportation bill this year."

Perhaps
he has no sway with his democrat Governor who has been championing abuser fees
since 2006:

Governor
Tim Kaine: January 20, 2006, Transportation
Plan Press Release: This plan includes enhanced fees for abusive drivers.

Governor
Tim Kaine: August 28, 2006, Before
the Money Committees: "Both Houses agree on abuser fees. The dangerous
behavior of unsafe drivers threatens the safety of other drivers and causes
accidents that create congestion. Those drivers should be financially
accountable for their actions."

Governor Kaine:  January 10, 2007, State
of the Commonwealth Address

Both houses agree that abusive drivers should pay stiffer fines to be used for
transportation needs. To solve our funding dilemma, I have proposed a basic
transportation financing package. Three elements of the package-proper use of
existing auto insurance premium taxes, charges to abusive drivers and a
commitment to using surplus dollars for transportation-require no new revenues
from law-abiding citizens.

Governor Kaine: January 4, 2007, Transportation Plan Press Release:

 Imposes
an abuser fee on motorists who drive under the influence, drive recklessly, or commit certain other offenses.

Or perhaps he forgot his own position in support of
the fees in 2006:

One House Democratic leader, Brian Moran of Alexandria, approved of higher fines for motor vehicle
violations and levying abuser fees on bad drivers, who are responsible for many
traffic backups because of their behavior.

"You can draw a logical nexus between those fees and the use of our roads,'' he said.

Daily Press, (January 21, 2006)